O'Shea bemoans PFA's Nani snub

10 April 2011 02:00

Viewed : 29

John O'Shea cannot believe Manchester United team-mate Nani has not been nominated for the PFA player of the year award.

The Portugal winger is top of the Premier League assists chart in addition to bagging 10 goals in United's relentless pursuit of the treble. He had a hand in both goals as The Red Devils saw off Fulham 2-0 at Old Trafford on Saturday.

"I am pretty amazed by that," said O'Shea of his team-mate's absence from the PFA list. "Maybe because he was still eligible for the young player, people didn't vote for him for the senior player. He is a constant threat. Defenders don't know whether he is going to go on his left and his right and his combination with Patrice Evra is excellent."

United are now in the happy position of knowing five victories from their final six games will be enough to confirm a record 19th league title.

It is not quite so straightforward given nearest challengers Arsenal and Chelsea are amongst their opponents, whilst a tricky trip to Newcastle follows three days after Saturday's FA Cup semi-final with Manchester City at Wembley.

The calendar will flood Sir Alex Ferguson's mind as he juggles the hunt for silverware on three fronts. However, the United boss will not allow such matters to bother his players, who are now expected to think about Tuesday's Champions League tie with Chelsea and nothing else.

"It is a classic cliche but we literally are just chalking off one game at a time," said O'Shea. "The good thing is we feel so confident, especially at home.

"We have only dropped two points at Old Trafford this season and that day, against West Brom, was very disappointing. It would be very special if we could finish off the season keeping that record."

Fulham boss Mark Hughes, who knows as well as anyone the drive that Ferguson brings to his team, was bold enough to declare his old team "champions-elect" as he assessed an incredible 18th defeat from Fulham's last 19 trips to Old Trafford.

"I think they are going to win it," he said. "They have six games left and it is very easy for them because they know exactly what they have to do."